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Growth Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find answers to many commonly-asked questions regarding growth in the Grande Prairie region. 

  1. When will City taxpayers see any benefits from this tremendous growth? All we seem to see now are rising costs for everything undertaken by the City. Why is the Mayor and Council so enthusiastic about growth, when there seems to be no good coming from it? Should we follow Fort McMurray’s example with a planned moratorium?
  2. As a recent resident to this part of the province, I am curious about the region’s strategic planning to account for transportation flow, space control, recreational facilities and transportation access.
  3. I moved here four months ago and am interested in volunteering on the Planning Commission or a similar Board. Is there room for such volunteers?
  4. What steps has the City taken regarding the maintenance of current greenspaces and creating new ones?
  5. I am currently living outside of the City of Grande Prairie. Should some merger of municipalities occur, what impact will that have on public services such as snow removal, water and sewer and my tax base?
  6. Instead of examining the possibilities of annexation or amalgamation will the City explore the use of high density urban development as a potential alternative to expanding the City’s boundaries?
  7. Currently, there are many people who do not live in the city of Grande Prairie, but work here and enjoy the benefits of the city’s services and facilities. Will amalgamation with other municipalities enhance the city’s abilities to continue to provide these services?
  8. As the size of the city grows, how will City Council enhance and sustain law enforcement practices?
  9. How will the City of Grande Prairie address current and potential problems related to road maintenance and traffic management?
  10. Is the City of Grande Prairie developing a Long Term Growth Strategy focusing on Sustainable Development?

Q: When will City taxpayers see any benefits from this tremendous growth? All we seem to see now are rising costs for everything undertaken by the City. Why is the Mayor and Council so enthusiastic about growth, when there seems to be no good coming from it? Should we follow Fort McMurray’s example with a planned moratorium?

Almost all Alberta cities are undergoing a tremendous growth, as the province gears up to meet the continent-wide demand for its resources.    While growth has a potential for generating infrastructure difficulties, these are often superseded by the benefits that are derived in overall quality of life.

The need for additional support, to meet the impacts of growth, have been communicated to the province – by all Alberta city councils that are feeling the results of growing populations.


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Q: As a recent resident to this part of the province, I am curious about the region’s strategic planning to account for transportation flow, space control, recreational facilities and transportation access.

The Transportation Network within the City boundaries is guided by the City’s Master Transportation Plan, which can be viewed on the City’s website.   The plan includes regional connections, such as the proposed Northwest Highway #43 Bypass and the linkages to the County’s proposed roadways.   A functional planning study is presently being undertaken for a potential Southwest ring road, which will also connect to Highway 43.

The City’s recreation master plan is at an advanced stage in development, having had a series of public open houses to receive input on updating the 1997 plan.   600 responses were received in a public survey, which provided useful public input for the planning.   It is anticipated that the final recommended Plan will be ready for presentation to Council by the Fall.

Regional planning or planning beyond local boundaries is a challenge in the current regulatory environment.  The City has been raising the need for change with other municipalities and Provincial authorities.  We believe this is an area where improvements can be made.


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Q: I moved here four months ago and am interested in volunteering on the Planning Commission or a similar Board. Is there room for such volunteers?
The City welcomes community participation by volunteers to provide their input and enthusiasm on its various Boards and Committees. These new openings are posted each December, although there may be individual openings during the year, if it is necessary to replace a position. More information is available by contacting the City Clerk’s Department at 539-0314.
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Q: What steps has the City taken regarding the maintenance of current greenspaces and creating new ones?

The City of Grande Prairie recognizes that parks and outdoor recreational facilities are an integral part of a healthy urban environment. 

City Council supports the development of parks, recreation, entertainment and cultural facilities.  Enhancing and protecting the parks and open spaces is essential to personal and community quality of life and environmental health.  The City exemplified this by including service delivery enhancements in its 2006 operating budget, including financial resources for increased beautification of greenspaces.


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Q: I am currently living outside of the City of Grande Prairie. Should some merger of municipalities occur, what impact will that have on public services such as snow removal, water and sewer and my tax base?
The City wants to ensure that there is proper and fair service delivery across the region.  However, at this time we don’t have all of the answers on the impacts of amalgamation, annexation, regional co-operation or other growth related issues.  We are, however, in the process of gathering information on these types of important questions in order to be in a better position to deal with those discussions when we meet with other municipalities in the region and officials from Alberta Municipal Affairs.

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Q: Instead of examining the possibilities of annexation or amalgamation will the City explore the use of high density urban development as a potential alternative to expanding the City’s boundaries?
The City of Grande Prairie will continue to examine the role of high density urban housing as part of its long-term development plans.  Given the current rate of growth, it is likely that a combination of high-density housing and expansion of the City’s boundaries will be necessary.  Market forces will influence this direction.

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Q: Currently, there are many people who do not live in the city of Grande Prairie, but work here and enjoy the benefits of the city’s services and facilities. Will amalgamation with other municipalities enhance the city’s abilities to continue to provide these services?
We believe this will be the case.  By incorporating residents of neighbouring communities into the City, the tax base will be more clearly aligned with the users who draw on these resources.  Should amalgamation occur, people who presently live in neighbouring communities will continue to have access to services and facilities that they already use – at city-resident rates - and the city will have access to better resources to maintain and enhance these services and facilities.

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Q: As the size of the city grows, how will City Council enhance and sustain law enforcement practices?
Policing and law enforcement remain high on the City of Grande Prairie’s priorities.  We will continue to work together with the RCMP and the Government of Alberta to ensure that all residents of the city continue to receive the best possible law enforcement.  The City’s current 3-Year Business Plan includes the addition of 16 new RCMP police members and 3enforcement services officers.

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Q: How will the City of Grande Prairie address current and potential problems related to road maintenance and traffic management?
The City of Grande Prairie is committed to improving, expanding and maintaining our roadway systems and to playing a leading role in the improvement of the region’s transportation links.  City Council’s Capital Plan shows a strong long-term financial commitment to the City’s roadways.  Last year Grande Prairie received the American Public Works Association Project of the Year Award in the Small Cities Transportation Category in recognition of the work that has been done on our roadway systems.  The 2006 budget includes provision for improved maintenance of our road network and our updated Snow Removal and Ice Control Policy to better address services and priorities.

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Q: Is the City of Grande Prairie developing a Long Term Growth Strategy focusing on Sustainable Development?
The City’s  Strategic Plan was developed to achieve an aesthetically pleasing city that is safe, practical and economically viable, while acknowledging the area’s continuing rapid growth, and to ensure a sustainable community.  Grande Prairie’s plans for long- term growth are based on clear planning principles.  These principles incorporate the concepts of social, environmental and economic values, in addition to maintaining consistency with sound municipal operations and practices.

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